Emirates plane crash fire at Dubai airport: Charles D’Alberto

Flight EK521, which departed from Trivandrum International Airport in India, crash-landed with 300 passengers and crew on board

This is the moment an Emirates airline plane dramatically exploded into flames on the tarmac just moments after passengers had been evacuated following a crash landing.

The Boeing 777-300 jet crash-landed at the airport shortly after 1pm local time (10am UK time) with 300 passengers and crew on board.

It is believed a fire broke out on Flight EK521 in mid-air before the pilot sent out an emergency signal.

Miraculously, no passengers were seriously hurt and were safely evacuated just moments before eye-witness footage showed the plane burst into flames.

The three-hour flight took off from Trivandrum International Airport in India at around 6am UK time before the captain is understood to have sent out and emergency signal shortly before the plane was due to land.

No-one is believed to have been seriously injured and passengers have been safely evacuated.

Emirates said it is not yet known what caused the accident but confirmed there had been no fatalities.

Eye-witnesses described seeing huge plumes of smoke rising from the plane before it crashed down onto the runway.

Photographs of the incident posted on social media showed a
plane lying crumpled on its belly on the tarmac with black smoke
pouring from its upper section.

Dramatic video also showed the plane exploding in a ball of fire shortly after passengers were evacuated.

Emergency services are currently on the runway.

All departure flights from Dubai international, the world’s busiest airport for international travel, were delayed until further notice, authorities said.

An Emirates spokesman said: “Emirates can confirm that today, 3rd August 2016, flight EK521 travelling from Trivandrum International Airport in Thiruvananthapuram, India to Dubai has been involved in an accident at Dubai International Airport.

“There were 282 passengers and 18 crew on board.

“The Boeing 777 aircraft, departed at 10.19am from Trivandrum International Airport and was scheduled to land at 12.50pm at Dubai International Airport.

“We can confirm that there are no fatalities among our passengers and crew. All passengers and crew are accounted for and safe.